Hey All,

I'm back!

In 2018 I had two courses of one treatment a day for five days, spaced 5 weeks apart, with Dr. Larrier at Duke Cancer Center in Durham NC. This stopped the progression of contracture in my left hand. That journey was documented at https://www.dupuytren-online.info/Forum_...1533846222.html

Now my right hand has developed nodes, cords, and contracture, not just in my ring and middle finger as in my left hand, but in all fingers. It seems to be a particularly fast paced progression of contracture, as in two months time my fingers have contracted to about where my other hand was stopped with radiation therapy back in 2018.

The big difference this time is that I am not concerned. The 2018 treatments worked perfectly, so I contacted Duke and Dr. Larrier as soon as I was diagnosed by my primary doctor. It was great to see Dr. Larrier and her team again.

I just finished my first course of five treatments over five days. My next course starts on June 1.

I would like to say that being in the Radiation Oncology department really puts things in perspective. While obviously I would like to keep the use of my right hand, I am in nowhere near the situation that the vast majority of the patients I see back in the treatment areas are in. Particularly heartbreaking is seeing small children back there. I am truly blessed to have this condition and not what most other patients around me have.

The week before last I had prostate surgery, and am recovering nicely. The treatments at Duke are a breeze in comparison, especially knowing that they were completely effective in stopping the progression of the contracture in my other hand.

As always, Dr. Larrier and the team at Duke are outstanding. They are extremely caring and upbeat. I couldn't ask for a better crew.

jonthepain:

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btw for those who read my RT story from 2018, Mom passed away shortly after those treatments, on Christmas Eve 2018.